Etzel Field renovations

Here is a video of the proposed renovations:

Etzel Field

Any updates if they've started on phase I yet? What did they finally include in Phase I?

You have to love the drawings... a first class baseball stadium could be a real draw in PDX--not much other top level baseball in the area. UO and OSU have proven that baseball can thrive in rainy Oregon... and the WCC does have a good baseball heritage. (Congrats to Pepperdine this season!)

Lights are absolutely critical. The weekday 3pm games are impossible for working folks to get to... I hope they are one of the early additions.

After watching the exciting Regionals this weekend... I hope to see a Regional hosted by UP some day...   

Absolutely agree on all points. Being down here in SOCAL, can't put eyes on field and so always curious how things are going and if anything's started.

The stadium remodel now seems to be linked to the work on the Beauchamp center, since a new thorofare to provide better access to it is mentioned as part of the work involved. For reference, here is the order of renovations in the current stadium plan:

The planned renovation for Joe Etzel Field will be phased.

Phase I upgrades ($2 million)

New synthetic playing surface
Field lighting for evening games and events
New field fencing
Home bullpen
Visitors bullpen

Phases II ($1.2 million)

Press box
Berm seating for 500 down the right field line
Relocated scoreboard
Home dugout
Visitors dugout
New grandstand building with 1076 Grandstand Seats and
16 VIP seats — next to the home team dugout and bullpen
New entry gate and ticket office

Phases II ($1.25 million)

Home locker room
Coaches offices
Coaches locker room
Field maintenance building

I wonder what it takes to get one of the 16 VIP seats?

I heard a rumor that Phase I was going to happen this summer -- but a new scoreboard was included in it too. The lights may not be in it I heard, but that is strictly rumor. Something to do with funding.

Anyone hear anything else?

kopas wrote:I heard a rumor that Phase I was going to happen this summer -- but a new scoreboard was included in it too.  The lights may not be in it I heard, but that is strictly rumor.  Something to do with funding.  

Anyone hear anything else?

Yes, Phase 1 will begin this summer....

At the moment, the permitting process is underway....and that "generally" takes six weeks.  Assuming the process is without snags, the removal of sod and the installation of artificial turf could begin sometime toward the end of July and should take 10 weeks to complete.  I would guess mid-October would be a realistic target date.

The resurfacing is probably the most important part of the plans at this point as it will allow the players to practice in inclement conditions....better for game preparation and better for recruiting.  I believe the new bullpens and fencing will be completed during the resurfacing.

With regard to the lighting, I believe you are correct koppas, it is still a funding issue!  We all need to donate a little extra this year and don our rally caps to get others to donate too so a completed Phase 1 can become a reality in the next 12 months or sooner.   

The Turf arrived and it's Astroturf.



The label says "since 1965". I hope the product has changed since I played lacrosse on it back then.

Geezaldinho wrote:The Turf arrived and it's Astroturf.

The label says "since 1965". I hope the product has changed since I played lacrosse on it back then.

Turns out this is NOT your father's Astroturf:

http://www.sys-con.com/node/3213485

I see that the Astroturf folks are including a progress Web Cam on their site.

http://www.astroturf.com/portland-baseball/

Geezaldinho wrote:I see that the Astroturf olds are including a progress Web Cam on their site.

Hmm, apparently I was in one of the pictures today as I was out on the infield watching the guys install the new surface.  (I had been watching the UP volleyball game).

It's a combination of green and brown surfaces....each of the colors having a slightly different nap and length of nap simulating grass and dirt.

On tonight's Portside with the Pilots episode it was confirmed that lights will be installed in time for the 2016 season, with construction on that beginning around May 20th.  There were interviews with a few Board of Regents members who stated that most of the money for the new grandstand has already been raised as well.  There was a comment that the new facilities will be "premiere".

The option for nights games will be HUGE in terms of community involvement and attendance!

               

https://twitter.com/PortlandPilots/status/601503034862997505

Entire project should be complete by July 1st.

Anyone have any idea how the fundraising is going for the final phase (i.e., the grandstand)? Might as well ask about the boathouse too...

SouthCarolinaPilot wrote:Anyone have any idea how the fundraising is going for the final phase (i.e., the grandstand)? Might as well ask about the boathouse too...

I'm not sure about the baseball field grandstand (I still have a hard time seeing how putting the baseball field there long term is a good idea), but I did see some plans for a boathouse design within the last few weeks.  I can't say construction is imminent, though.

Finally, an answer to my earlier question: Joe Etzel Renovation Update! Can't say that I am surprised by the fact that the roof is no longer in play. I figured that in order to bring down costs and get this project to come to fruition a bit faster, that would have to disappear. It's a shame because it's so rainy in Portland during the spring. Still looks amazing and will be leaps and bounds better than our current, venerable grandstand. Construction is slated to begin, I guess, whenever they get their minimal level of donations necessary.

Numbers that stood out to me:
$2.5 million is the total cost (or minimal amount needed to start building)
$250 is a donation to get your name on a chair

It's happening, folks! Apparently ground is breaking on the new grandstand? Does anyone have any specific details that they can share?

Also, will there be a way to track the progress like a construction camera? Would love to follow along with the construction from all the way out here.

https://twitter.com/PortlandPilots/status/1166425841334550528?s=20

FloridaPilot wrote:It's happening, folks! Apparently ground is breaking on the new grandstand? Does anyone have any specific details that they can share?

Also, will there be a way to track the progress like a construction camera? Would love to follow along with the construction from all the way out here.

https://twitter.com/PortlandPilots/status/1166425841334550528?s=20

Don't know if someone with power reads this forum or not, but I appreciate this construction webcam immensely. Also, you can see here that they have already demolished the 3rd base line grandstand: https://twitter.com/PortlandPilots/status/1169351500608360448.

Here's a pretty thorough update on the project from The Beacon, including details on the plaza renovation: https://www.upbeacon.com/article/2019/10/baseball-construction-joe-etzel-stadium-portland-pilots

Stonehouse wrote:Here's a pretty thorough update on the project from The Beacon, including details on the plaza renovation: https://www.upbeacon.com/article/2019/10/baseball-construction-joe-etzel-stadium-portland-pilots

Bummer the team will likely have to play their games in Hillsboro or Ridgefield this coming season.

StudentPilot wrote:

Stonehouse wrote:Here's a pretty thorough update on the project from The Beacon, including details on the plaza renovation: https://www.upbeacon.com/article/2019/10/baseball-construction-joe-etzel-stadium-portland-pilots

Bummer the team will likely have to play their games in Hillsboro or Ridgefield this coming season.

Agreed.  Will be hard to get home and take the kids to games this year on Friday evenings.

How is the construction on Joe Etzel Stadium progressing? I don’t seem to get around much these days.

I believe the stadium and work on the lower campus has halted until school reopens.

Geezaldinho wrote:I believe the stadium and work on the lower campus has halted until school reopens.

I don't know about the Franz (lower) Campus, but last I observed they were full-speed ahead on Etzel Field.

This picture is from two weeks ago when Western Wood Structures were installing the roof panels over the press box and dugouts.  


I have not heard of any change to the completion date of mid-May...although there's bound to be some slippage if materials are difficult to acquire.